By the Clinical Team at Smile Dental Center — Last updated: May 2026
Quick Answer
Same-day dental implants (technically called immediate load implants) place a titanium post and attach a temporary crown in a single appointment. Not everyone qualifies — you need sufficient bone density and a clean extraction site — but for the right patient, you walk out with a functional tooth the same day. At Smile Dental Center, same-day implants start at $1,500 in Miami and $1,000 in Medellín, using Nobel Biocare posts with a lifetime warranty.
Key Takeaways
- Same-day implants (immediate load) give you a temporary tooth the same appointment the implant post is placed.
- The final permanent crown comes 3–6 months later after osseointegration — but you are never toothless in between.
- A same-day implant after extraction is possible when the socket is healthy and bone walls are intact.
- Key candidacy requirements: sufficient bone density, no active infection, non-smoker (or willingness to quit), and good overall health.
- Cost in 2026: $1,500–$2,500 per tooth in Miami; $1,000–$1,500 per tooth complete in Medellín.
- Nobel Biocare's immediate load protocol achieves a 97% 10-year success rate in qualified patients — identical to conventional implants.
What Are Same-Day Dental Implants?
A same-day dental implant — also called an immediate load implant or immediate provisionalization — is a procedure where the titanium implant post is placed and a temporary crown is attached in the same appointment. You leave the clinic with a tooth.
This is fundamentally different from the traditional implant timeline most patients have heard about:
| Traditional Implant | Same-Day Implant | |
|---|---|---|
| Appointments before you have a tooth | 3–4 visits | 1 visit |
| Total treatment timeline | 6–12 months | 3–6 months |
| Leave with a tooth same day? | No | Yes |
| Candidacy requirements | Standard | Stricter |
| 10-year success rate (Nobel Biocare) | 97%+ | 97%+ (qualified patients) |
| Additional cost vs. conventional | Baseline | +$200–$400 (provisional crown) |
The temporary crown placed same-day is not the final restoration. It is a carefully fabricated provisional that sits slightly out of full bite contact to protect the healing implant from excess chewing force. The permanent crown is placed 3–6 months later once osseointegration is confirmed by X-ray and clinical testing.
How the Same-Day Implant Procedure Works: Step by Step
Here is exactly what happens on the day of your procedure:
- 3D CBCT Scan & Treatment Planning — A cone beam CT scan creates a full 3D map of your jawbone. Your surgeon uses this to measure bone volume, identify the ideal implant position, and confirm whether immediate loading is feasible. This may be done at a prior consultation or on the same day.
- Local Anesthesia — The treatment area is numbed completely. IV sedation is available for anxious patients.
- Extraction (if needed) — If a damaged tooth still remains, it is removed carefully to preserve as much bone as possible.
- Implant Site Preparation — A small channel is drilled in the jawbone at the precise angle and depth mapped from your CBCT scan.
- Implant Post Placement — The Nobel Biocare titanium implant is threaded into place. Total surgical time for a single implant is typically 20–45 minutes.
- Primary Stability Check — The surgeon measures insertion torque (must be ≥35 Ncm for same-day loading). If stability is sufficient, you proceed to step 7. If not, the implant heals conventionally — your surgeon will tell you on the spot.
- Temporary Crown Placement — A pre-fabricated or same-day milled provisional crown is attached to the implant. It is adjusted to sit slightly out of full bite contact.
- Post-Op Instructions & Go Home — You leave with a tooth. Soft diet for 6–8 weeks. No biting hard foods on the new implant during healing.
The entire appointment typically runs 2–3 hours from anesthesia to walking out. Most patients are back to desk work the next day.
Same-Day Implant After Extraction: What You Need to Know
One of the most common questions we receive: can you get an implant placed the same day a tooth is extracted? The answer is yes — this is called immediate implant placement, and it is often combined with immediate loading to give you a complete tooth in one visit.
There are two related scenarios:
- Immediate placement + immediate load: Tooth extracted → implant placed into the fresh socket → temporary crown attached same day. Best for single-tooth cases with healthy bone and no infection present.
- Immediate placement + delayed load: Tooth extracted → implant placed into the fresh socket → no crown yet → heal for 3–6 months → crown placed. Used when bone quality is acceptable but primary stability is not sufficient for immediate loading, or when bite forces are high.
When a Same-Day Implant After Extraction Works
- The tooth is being extracted due to fracture or decay, not active infection
- The extraction socket has intact bone walls on all four sides
- Sufficient bone depth below the socket exists for the implant to anchor and achieve primary stability
- No active gum disease at or near the site
- Patient meets the general candidacy requirements above
When It Does NOT Work
- Active infection at the extraction site (abscess, periapical lesion) — the infection must be fully resolved, typically requiring 4–8 weeks of healing and possibly antibiotics, before implant placement
- Bone defects in the socket walls — if extraction trauma or disease has compromised the surrounding bone, a socket preservation graft is needed before implant placement
- Insufficient bone below the socket — the implant needs at least 3–4 mm of bone beyond the socket base for primary stability
At Smile Dental Center Miami and Medellín, we use CBCT 3D imaging to evaluate extraction sites in advance. Our surgeons give you a clear same-day vs. delayed-placement recommendation based on your actual anatomy — not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Who Qualifies for Same-Day Dental Implants?
Same-day implants have a higher bar than conventional implants. The right candidate checks all of these boxes:
✓ Good Candidate Profile
- Adequate bone volume — sufficient bone height and width for the implant to achieve the required primary stability (≥35 Ncm insertion torque)
- No active infection at or near the planned implant site
- Non-smoker (or patient willing to stop smoking for the healing period — minimum 8 weeks)
- Controlled systemic health — diabetes must be well-managed (HbA1c below 7.5%), blood pressure controlled
- Good oral hygiene and commitment to aftercare
- Realistic expectations — the same-day crown is temporary and requires a soft-food diet for 6–8 weeks
- Replacing a front tooth or premolar (lower bite forces make immediate loading safer than molars)
Who Is NOT a Good Candidate?
Disqualifying Factors for Same-Day Loading
- Active infection: Any periapical abscess or acute gum disease must be fully resolved first. Placing an implant through infected tissue dramatically increases failure risk — do not let any provider skip this step.
- Insufficient bone: If bone height or width is inadequate, the implant cannot achieve the primary stability required for immediate loading. A bone graft adds 4–6 months to the timeline before implant placement.
- Heavy smokers: Smoking triples implant failure rates by impairing blood supply and osseointegration. Most experienced implant surgeons require a smoking cessation period before same-day procedures.
- Uncontrolled diabetes: HbA1c above 8% significantly impairs healing. Well-controlled diabetics (HbA1c <7.5%) are generally good candidates with proper monitoring.
- Severe bruxism (teeth grinding): Chronic grinding places excessive force on the healing implant. Patients with severe bruxism typically need a nightguard and case-by-case evaluation before same-day loading is considered.
- Bisphosphonate medications: Long-term bisphosphonate use (for osteoporosis) can impair bone healing around implants. A full medication history and physician clearance are required.
- Primary stability not achieved intraoperatively: Even with ideal candidacy on paper, if the surgeon cannot achieve the required torque during surgery, they will revert to a conventional healing protocol. This is a safety decision, not a failure.
Same-Day Dental Implant Cost in 2026
Same-day implants cost slightly more than conventional implants due to the additional provisional crown fabrication. Here is how pricing breaks down:
| Component | US Average | SDC Miami | SDC Medellín |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nobel Biocare implant post | $1,000–$2,000 | Included | Included |
| Temporary crown (same-day provisional) | $300–$600 | Included | Included |
| CBCT scan | $200–$400 | Free with consult | Free with consult |
| Abutment | $200–$400 | Included | Included |
| Final permanent crown | $800–$1,500 | Included | Included |
| TOTAL (complete, all-inclusive) | $2,500–$5,000 | from $1,500 | from $1,000 |
All SDC prices are all-inclusive: Nobel Biocare post, abutment, provisional crown, final zirconia crown, CBCT scan, and consultations. Nobel Biocare lifetime warranty included at both locations.
Pros and Cons of Same-Day Dental Implants: The Honest Assessment
Same-day implants are not right for everyone. Here is a balanced look at both sides:
Advantages
- Leave with a functional tooth the same day — no gap, no flipper
- Shorter total treatment timeline (3–6 vs. 6–12 months)
- Fewer total office visits
- Immediate placement preserves extraction socket bone
- Psychological comfort: no walking around missing a tooth
- Long-term success identical to conventional implants in qualified patients
- Best option for front-tooth replacements where appearance matters immediately
Limitations
- Not everyone qualifies — candidacy is stricter than conventional
- Temporary crown sits out of full bite contact: soft-food diet for 2–3 months
- Slightly higher cost than conventional implants (+$200–$400 for provisional)
- Surgeon may revert to conventional protocol intraoperatively if stability is insufficient
- More technique-sensitive — requires an experienced immediate-load specialist
- Molar sites carry higher bite force risk and require more careful case selection
The bottom line: for the right candidate, same-day implants offer the same long-term success as conventional implants with dramatically better short-term quality of life. For patients who do not qualify, a conventional protocol is the safer path — and still leaves you with a permanent tooth within 6–9 months.
Same-Day Dental Implants in Miami, FL
At Smile Dental Center's Bird Road clinic in Miami, we offer same-day implant consultations and procedures seven days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM EST.
What to expect at your same-day consultation:
- Complimentary CBCT scan — included with your evaluation, no extra charge
- Bone volume assessment — we measure height, width, and density at the exact implant site
- Same-day vs. conventional recommendation with a clear explanation of why
- All-inclusive treatment plan with itemized pricing — no surprise add-ons
- If you qualify and choose to proceed, same-day placement can happen in the same appointment or your next available slot
We place Nobel Biocare implants exclusively. Every implant comes with Nobel Biocare's lifetime warranty, honored at both our Miami and Medellín locations.
Smile Dental Center — Miami
9835 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33165 (Bird Road, Westchester)
Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST • WhatsApp: +1 (786) 560-7567
Same-Day Implants in Medellín — Complete in One Trip
Our El Poblado clinic in Medellín, Colombia specializes in dental tourism cases including same-day implant procedures. Most patients complete their entire treatment in 5–7 days:
| Day | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival, CBCT scan, full evaluation and treatment planning |
| Day 2–3 | Implant post placement + same-day temporary crown |
| Day 4–5 | Post-op check, rest, explore Medellín |
| Day 6–7 | Final clearance and fly home with your new tooth |
Your final permanent crown is placed 3–6 months later — either at SDC Miami on your next visit or at SDC Medellín on a follow-up trip. We share CBCT imaging and treatment notes digitally between locations so your care is continuous.
Flight from Miami to Medellín: 3 hours direct. Round-trip fares typically $280–$450. Even for a single implant, most patients save $1,000–$2,000 net of all travel costs compared to an equivalent specialist clinic in South Florida.
Find Out If You Qualify for Same-Day
Send us a quick message on WhatsApp. Our clinical coordinator will review your case and let you know whether same-day implants are an option — usually within a few hours.
Check My Eligibility — FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How long does a same-day dental implant procedure take?
A same-day implant appointment for a single tooth typically runs 2–3 hours from anesthesia administration to walking out with your temporary crown. This includes CBCT review, site preparation, implant placement, primary stability testing, and provisional crown attachment. For patients doing an extraction + immediate implant + crown, add 20–30 minutes. Most patients are comfortable returning to desk work the following day.
Is a same-day dental implant painful?
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia and is not painful. Patients typically feel pressure but no sharp pain during implant placement. Post-operatively, discomfort is similar to a tooth extraction — mild to moderate soreness for 3–5 days, managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen or prescribed pain medication. Swelling is common for the first 48–72 hours. Same-day implant discomfort is generally no greater than conventional implant surgery.
Can you eat after a same-day dental implant?
Yes, but on a soft diet. For the first 6–8 weeks after your same-day implant, you should avoid biting hard, crunchy, or chewy foods directly on the new implant. The temporary crown sits slightly out of full bite contact to protect the healing osseointegration process. Soft foods — eggs, fish, pasta, yogurt, cooked vegetables — are all fine. Avoid raw carrots, hard bread crusts, nuts, and anything that requires forceful biting. After the final crown is placed and osseointegration is confirmed, you can eat normally.
How successful are same-day dental implants?
In properly selected candidates, same-day (immediate load) implants achieve the same long-term success rates as conventional implants: 97%+ at 10 years with Nobel Biocare systems. The key phrase is “properly selected.” Patients who are placed into immediate loading despite insufficient bone, active infection, or heavy smoking have significantly higher failure rates. This is why a thorough CBCT-based evaluation and intraoperative stability testing (insertion torque measurement) are non-negotiable before proceeding with same-day loading.
Can I get a same-day implant if I need a bone graft?
Generally no. A bone graft is needed when there is insufficient bone volume for the implant to achieve primary stability. Without primary stability, immediate loading is contraindicated — the implant must integrate with bone before any crown force is applied. The bone graft must heal (typically 4–6 months) before the implant is placed. One exception: minor socket defect grafting can sometimes be performed simultaneously with immediate implant placement and immediate loading in anterior cases — but this requires case-by-case evaluation by an experienced surgeon. Your CBCT scan will determine which path is right for you.
What is the difference between same-day implants and All-on-4?
Same-day implants (single tooth) and All-on-4 are both immediate-load protocols, but they serve different needs. A same-day single implant replaces one missing tooth: one post + one crown in one visit. All-on-4 replaces an entire arch (all upper or all lower teeth) using just four strategically angled implants with a full-arch bridge attached the same day. All-on-4 is the same-day solution for patients who have lost or are losing most or all teeth in an arch. At SDC, All-on-4 starts at $8,900 per arch in Miami and $5,500 per arch in Medellín.
Do same-day dental implants last as long as traditional implants?
Yes — in qualified candidates, same-day implants have equivalent long-term durability to conventional implants. Multiple peer-reviewed studies and Nobel Biocare's own 10-year clinical data show no statistically significant difference in survival rates between immediate load and conventional load implants in properly selected patients. The implant post, once fully integrated, does not “know” whether a crown was attached immediately or months later — the osseointegration process is the same. The temporary crown is simply a placeholder that does not bear full biting forces during healing.
Have questions? Talk to our specialists.
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